Sand Dollar Beachcombing
by Bill Swartwout
Title
Sand Dollar Beachcombing
Artist
Bill Swartwout
Medium
Photograph - Fine Art Photography
Description
Picture yourself strolling along the pristine shores of Jekyll Island, GA. With each step, the warm sand massages your toes, and the salty breeze tickles your skin. As you indulge in the joy of beachcombing, an enchanting discovery catches your eye – a delicate sand dollar nestled amongst seashells and sea glass.
However, there is more to this fascinating creature than meets the eye. Did you know that sand dollars are not actually shells but rather echinoderms? These marine animals belong to the same family as sea stars and sea urchins. The iconic white skeleton-like disc that we often come across on the beach is merely their exoskeleton.
Intriguingly, sand dollars possess a secret world within them. When alive, they have fine spines covered in tiny hairs called cilia that help them glide gracefully along ocean currents. They use their five petals as gills to extract oxygen from seawater. Moreover, these seemingly simple creatures have an extraordinary ability to regenerate lost body parts like their spines or even limbs if damaged.
Next time you stumble upon a sand dollar on your beachcombing adventure, take a moment to marvel at its hidden wonders. This unassuming echinoderm holds insights into nature's intricacies and reminds us of the magnificent diversity awaiting discovery beneath our oceans' shimmering waves.
Uploaded
February 16th, 2024
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